BACK-FRIENDLY PRACTICES DURING THE DAY

By: Dr. Donna A. Pontoriero, Chiropractor

You don't have to rely solely on regular visits to the chiropractor to keep your spine and back feeling good. As with most aspects of your health, you can be proactive in maintaining your spinal health. Here are some steps you can take each day toward a healthy spine:

Start the day with some stretching. Reach your hands toward the ceiling and hold for 10 seconds. You should feel your spine straightening out. Then put your hands on your hips and rotate gently at the waist. Turn to the right. Hold for 10 seconds. Then to the left.

When you're at the sink, whether it's brushing your teeth or doing the dishes, stand as erect as possible, and, if possible, open the cupboard beneath the sink and put one foot up on the shelf. This puts your body in a tandem stance and moves your center of gravity closer to the sink, easing stress on your back.

When you're at home, children can pose all sorts of challenges to your back's well-being. Picking up a squirming toddler is just one tricky example. Bend at the knees--not at the waist--and let your legs--not you back--bear the brunt of the lifting. That same rule, of course applies to the lifting of any heavy or unwieldy object.

Cradling a phone between a shoulder and a cocked hear, or staring down at your smart phone, are other ways to put unnecessary strain on your spine.

These common-sense practices will help keep your spine in good order between visits to your chiropractor.

Please contact our office if you would like further evaluation on your condition.